English 434
Dr. Desmet
Spring 1997

It is a truism of Jonson criticism that Ben Jonson wanted to reform what he considered to be a corrupt society, a corrupt society that is epitomized by the city. On the other hand, Jonson himself--as actor and playwright--benefited from the commercial economy of London and in fact, bettered himself in terms of money and class in the way that Face wanted to better himself. Critics also note the fact that Face, although one of play's principal "cozeners" along with Subtle and Doll Common, nevertheless escapes any real punishment. Looking at the moral atmosphere and logical structure of The Alchemist, why is Face exonerated?